In the Entergy service territory, the Metal Fabrication sector is projected to grow by almost 6% from 2014 to 2019, and Louisiana and Texas are prime locations for businesses in this sector. These regions have a concentration of the key resources Metal Fabrication companies need to be successful, including an affordable workforce; proximity to customers; excellent road, rail and port infrastructure; and electricity at rates typically 20% below the national average.

Job Growth in the Metal Fabrication Cluster

Entergy Region on Track to Outpace U.S. by 3.52%

*Source: EMSI 2015.3

4,000+

Manufacturing facilities located in the Entergy Louisiana service territory

1.9 Million

Total workforce in the Entergy Louisiana service territory

Louisiana and Texas are Prime Locations for the Metal Fabrication Sector

Louisiana

13Metal Fabrication Companies in the Entergy Louisiana Service Territory

The Louisiana Workforce is over 1.9 million strong, with more than 13,000 welders.

Change in Job Growth in the Metal Fabrication Cluster from 2014-2019

Louisiana on Track to Outpace U.S. by 6.53%

*Source: EMSI 2015.3

Available Workforce

Entergy Louisiana has more than 13,000 welders, a workforce that is projected to increase by 9% between 2014 and 2019.

The total labor force in Entergy Louisiana is more than 1.9 million, with approximately 130,000 employed in manufacturing.

Proximity to Customers

Almost 10,000 construction establishments and more than 4,000 manufacturing facilities are located in the Entergy Louisiana service territory.

Home to a significant cluster of chemical and petrochemical manufacturers.

Transportation Infrastructure

Louisiana is transected by several interstates. These include Interstates 10, 12, 20 and 49.

Portions of Interstates 55 and 59 are also included in Louisiana’s highway system.

The state highway system is made up of 16,694 miles, making it the 14th largest system in the U.S.

Louisiana has six Class 1 railroads and is one of only two states in the country where the convergence of all six of North America’s Class 1 railroads occurs.

Louisiana has one of the largest port systems in the world, with six deep-water ports. These are connected to eight coastal ports and 13 inland ports by 2,300 miles of navigable inland waterways.

Cost of Doing Business

Louisiana’s cost of doing business is 11.5% below the national average, according to Forbes’ “Best States for Business.”

Louisiana offers competitive incentives for manufacturing businesses, including the Louisiana Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), which offers a tax incentive for manufacturers. The program abates up to 10 years of local property taxes (Ad Valorem) on a manufacturer’s new investment and annual capitalized additions related to the manufacturing site.

Texas

9Metal Fabrication Companies in the Entergy Texas Service Territory

Texas has more than 64,000 workers in the Metal Fabrication industry, including more than 18,000 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.

Change in Job Growth in the Metal Fabrication Cluster from 2014-2019

Texas on Track to Outpace U.S. by 4.3%

*Source: EMSI 2015.3

Available Workforce

More than 64,000 workers are employed in the Metal Fabrication industry cluster.

There are more than 18,000 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in Entergy Texas territory, and the occupation shows a projected growth of 7% between 2014 and 2019.

Proximity to Customers

Almost 10,000 construction establishments and more than 6,000 manufacturing facilities are located in the Entergy Texas service territory.

The oil and gas industry has a significant presence in the Entergy Texas area.

Transportation Infrastructure

According to the Annual Performance of State Highway Systems Report by the Reason Foundation, Texas has the 11th best highways for performance and efficiency in the U.S.:

Interstate 10, which stretches from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida, runs through the Entergy Texas service territory.

Interstate 45 runs north through Conroe, The Woodlands, and Huntsville.

Other highways serving the area include US Highways 69, 96, 90, 105 and 287.

Three rail lines serve the Entergy Texas territory: Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Conroe and The Woodlands are served by Rock Island.

Three major ports – Port of Beaumont, Port of Orange and Port of Port Arthur – serve the Entergy Texas area. The Ports of Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and Sabine Pass Harbor are part of the Sabine-Neches Waterway.

Cost of Doing Business

Texas has an overall ranking of seven in the Forbes “Best States for Business and Careers.”